Chapter 10

He could not stop smiling. He was still flushed and feverish from the sexual marathon and could feel her wrapped around every inch of him. God! He felt good. He felt wonderful and alive for the first time in his life, and it was because of her.

Yes, the sobering thought was that he was hiding things from her. Like the most basic of things. His damn name, one that he was ashamed of. One that he was determined to do something about. He could not stand the chance of her rejecting him for what he could not change, and something had never been a part of.

His smile collapsed and was replaced by a frown. He had to tell her and soon. So far, she had not recognized him. Maybe she was not up to date with celebrity news, not that he was in any way a celebrity, but his family was infamous.

They had been in the news so much in the past that there wasn’t a day that went by without the name being mentioned, for one reason or another.

In the past it had been investigations by the IRS, rumors of unexplained disappearances of employees, shady business dealings, extortion – Christ! The list had been long. Not to mention the corrupt law enforcement officers, the judges and politicians the family had in its pocket. It had sickened him. No wonder he had turned tail and run.

He could explain all of that to her, but the fact remains that his name was Moretti, and he had no idea what else they had been up to when he left. He had refused to receive or even listened to news about them. Lately, he was relieved to see that had changed drastically. Now, Moretti was into charity, trying to right the wrongs of the past.

But the name was still tainted, and he was not certain he could in all honesty ask or expect her to want to share it.

Wait! What? Share? As in ask her to marry him? It hit him like a thunderbolt - it was precisely where this was going. Sliding into the large hospital parking lot, he shut off the engine and stared out at the trees waving in the November breeze.

He wanted forever with her, the whole damn deal. A home with a big backyard with trees where he could make a swing, he was sure he could handle that. Possibly a dog – definitely not a cat, he was not tolerant of the feline creatures.

A cheery kitchen that overlooked a pond or a lake, with ducks, horses, several of them and children, to fill the rooms, possibly four, two if she balks. A huge living room with a big fireplace, with stockings hanging up at Christmas, something he had never experienced before. He wanted all of that and he wanted it with her.

He had kidded himself into thinking that he didn’t. Well, to be fair, he had never had the urge until he met her. He wanted it so badly; he could practically taste it.

He jumped slightly when his phone vibrated and felt his heart picking up speed as he wondered if it was her. He had not gotten the chance to kiss her goodbye and he felt deprived. Squelching his disappointment when he looked at the LED, he forced a jocular tone to his voice.

“Uncle Graham.”

“Why are you sitting in the parking lot?”

“How…?” He looked up and over and saw his uncle leaning on the hood of his vehicle, across from him.

“What are you doing here?”

“My brother summoned, so I dropped everything to get here.”

“Is he…?”

“No…, okay, this is ridiculous. Get out of the vehicle and let’s go see what he has to say.”

Hanging up the phone, Gary did just that, sucking in his breath as the wind hit him full in the face.

“We are in for some rain.” Graham secured his vehicle and joined his nephew as they made their way towards the entrance of the hospital. “Where have you been?”

“Home.”

“You were not answering your phone.”

“I was busy.” They stepped aside for some nurses who coming through the entrance doors and ignored the admiring looks they were receiving.

“Doing what?”

Gary shot him an amused look as they walked over to the reception area. “You are forgetting that I am an adult.” They greeted the nurse who told them to go straight to the room.

“He has been his usual cheerful self.” The woman told them with a rueful smile. “Demanding to be allowed to go home and criticizing the cuisine.”

“I hope you told him where to get off,” Graham said with a grin.

“I didn’t get a chance.”

They made their way to the private room, passing several people in the waiting area. The hospital catered mostly to rich clientele, but they had established an area for people with special needs.

Gary knew that his family had built a pediatric wing to cater to children suffering from terminal diseases as well as an area where parents could crash and be with the children.

“Who is the girl?”

He was roused from his thoughts by his uncle’s question.

“Who says there is one?”

“You have been absent and when I call, you don’t pick up.”

“Perhaps you should take the hint,” Gary grinned at him as he pushed the door open.

“Where the hell have you been?” The man propped up on several pillows growled as soon as they entered the room.

“Good morning to you too, brother. Good to see you have not lost your normal cheerful disposition.”

Grant glared at him, before directing his blistering gray eyes to his son who had walked over to the wall facing the bed and was leaning against it.

“I called you several times.”

“I was busy.”

“I am in the hospital.”

“I checked to make certain you were not on the verge of kicking the bucket and then went right back to being busy.” They stared at each other – a battle of wills, before the older man dropped his gaze and his fierce expression.

“I want to get out of here.”

“What does the doctors say?”

Grant looked at his brother who had pulled up a chair next to the bed. “Those quacks don’t know what the hell they are doing.” He fussed with the sheets and eased himself up some more. “Hand me that glass of water, will you? My throat is as dry as parchment.” He took a few sips before giving it back to his brother.

“I received a phone call this morning.”

“From?”

“Maurice Gotti.”

Gary straightened up and stared at his father.

“Why?”

“He wanted to chat. Presumably to offer his sympathy for my plight. That is how the bastard termed it. ‘My plight’. Anyway, after several inconsequential bits of nonsense, as I was about to hang up, he mentioned the fact that you are back…,” he glanced at his son.

“And the project you took on. He reminded me that the property was slated for something else, and they were not pleased. He further went on to say that a community center is not a good idea.”

“How the hell is that any of his business?” Gary demanded.

“It’s not,” Graham interjected quietly. “Only, the Gotti’s and Moretti’s were in partnership for a period of years and that building was won by George in a game of cards. Maurice had always contended that the game was rigged.”

“Was it?” Gary asked tightly. He knew his uncle George had a reputation for being shady. The man had been ruthless beyond measure and used force as a weapon. He would not be surprised to know that he had cheated his way into getting the property. And if that was the case, they were going to have a fight on their hands.

“Who knows?” His father shrugged and avoided looking at him. “George assured me he won the game fair and square.”

“And we all know that Uncle George was well-known for his honest business dealings.” The sarcasm in his voice was evident.

“Show some respect for the dead!”

“I did not respect him when he was alive, I am damn well not going to do so because he is deceased,” Gary snapped back, causing his father to glare at him.

“Gentlemen, please!” Graham held up a hand and divided a glance between them. “We are all in this thing together.”

“I am sick and tired of him sitting on his high horse and playing the moral detective.”

“Someone has to.”

“Gary.”

Swinging his gaze to his uncle, Gary backed down and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

“We will look into the property and make certain all the I’s have been dotted and the T’s crossed.”

“Please do that. Demolition has already started on the building, and we are scheduling to have work started the first week of December, which is in two weeks.” He flicked a glance at his dad. “You should not be taking calls from anyone else but me and Uncle Graham.”

He bristled at that. “I might be dying, but I am not afraid of some two-bit gangster. I eat people like Gotti for breakfast.”

“That was before, this is now. You are not the man you were, and it might do you well to accept that.”

“I don’t bow to anyone!”

“That right there is the problem.” Gary pointed a finger at him. “You refuse to humble yourself and take the blame for anything. You said you wanted to make a change, but I find myself wondering if you are just saying it.”

“Are you calling me a liar?”

“Gary.”

“I have to go.”

“We are not done.”

He stared at the man on the bed and curled his lips grimly. “Right now, we are and as I keep reminding you, I am not a goddamned child and am certainly not under your influence. Those days are done. So, uncle, let’s go..” Striding to the door, he pulled it open and left.

“Why don’t you say it?” Grant asked his brother wearily, after a few minutes of pregnant silence.

“I don’t think I need to. Are you going to spend your last remaining time pissing him off?” Leaning his head back, Grant closed his eyes and felt every single day and hour of his sixty-five years. He felt old and ineffective.

He was sick and tired and sick and tired of being both all the time. He did not have any power. He had lost every bit of it when he lost his brother and received the diagnosis.

And he was alienating the son he wanted to get forgiveness from.

“He reminds me of you.” A faint smile played around his lips. “Stubborn and willful. As well as filled with integrity.” He turned his head to stare at his youngest brother. “He should have been yours.”

Graham gave him a mild look. “Getting soft in your old age?”

“I am soft. And old and dying. But he is young and strong and will be good for the business. He has morals, something George and I never had. The two of you together will be able to turn the company around.”

“I certainly hope so.” He stared at his brother in contemplative silence for a spell. “I think he has met someone.”

Grant’s eyes sharpened. “Who?”

His brother shrugged. “He has not told me her name, but he took her to a restaurant, I introduced him to some years ago and he is happy.”

“Find out who she is!” Grant ordered, causing his brother to give him a wry look.

“I am not playing that game.”

“We have to find out if this woman is worthy…”

“Of the Moretti’s name?” Graham’s sarcasm was thick. “I have a feeling the reason Gary has not said anything, is because he is ashamed of it. He is still using his mother’s maiden name, you know.”

Grant’s belligerence deflated like a collapsed rigging on a ship. “You are right. Our name is not one to be proud of. I just want him to be happy.”

His brother’s expression softened. “You and me both. But until he is ready to reveal her name, I am not going to press him or interfere in his affairs.” He sobered. “This thing with Gotti.”

“Yes.” His brother nodded. “He has it in for Gary since they were children growing up and I don’t think he has let it go. The man is a bully, even worse than his old man. At least Manny was upfront about his intentions. Maurice is like a snake, hiding in the grass until he is ready to strike.”

Grant stared off across the room. “If he touches one hair on my son’s head…”

“Gary can take care of himself. My problem is that you won’t see the bastard coming.”

“Then we stay one step ahead of him.”

*****

Gary was still fuming when he got to the location, his body vibrating with anger. He would never change and what the hell did he care anyway? He had never been a father to him when he was growing up and being an adult now, he certainly did not need him to be one. He wouldn’t know how.

Fighting the despair that was threatening to overwhelm him, he drove into the overgrown yard and pulled the vehicle to a stop in front of the building.

The demolition team had been coming by the past couple of days and were due to start tearing the place down in a couple of days. His gaze swung to the cottage he had assigned to Raymond and wondered where the boy was.

The day he had spent with the youth had restored his faith in what he was about to do. They had cleaned the place up from top to bottom and enjoyed two boxes of pizza washed down with coke.

He had bought the kid a phone, nothing fancy, but one would think it was the latest invention, from the incredulous look on the boy’s face. The clothes were another thing. They were not expensive, but Raymond had been so grateful that he had to turn away to control his emotions.

It was that kind of thing that made life worth a damn, that, and love. He was about to walk over to the cottage when the front door opened, and Raymond came bounding out. Gary had also bought him a bicycle so that he could come and go as he pleased. He had stocked up enough groceries to last the kid for more than a month.

“Hey.”

“Hey.” Gary sat on the hood and waited for the boy to join him.

“I didn’t expect you to swing by.”

Gary could not believe the difference from the sullen and dirty kid he had met a few days ago. This one was clean and smelled of cologne and his wheat blonde hair was brushed back from his face.

“Some guy came by. I was about to call you.”

“What guy?”

“Said he was a friend of yours and was asking a lot of questions.”

Gary felt his spine stiffening. “What questions? What’s his name?”

Raymond screwed his face in concentration. “He was big and kind of bulky. Said his name was Maurice Got – something. He wanted to know what I was doing here and what the plans were for the place.”

“What did you tell him?”

Raymond gave him an inquisitive look. “I told him to take a hike, that if he was a friend as he said, he would know what’s going on. He gave me this mean look and left.” The boy hesitated. “If he is a friend of yours, I have to say that you need better friends. He looked positively mean.”

“He is not a friend.” Gary told him grimly. “And I want you to call me if he happens to come around again.” He glanced around. “They will be commencing work in a couple of days, but in the meantime, I am going to get someone here to put an alarm on the building where you are.”

Raymond nodded. “I was right. He is mean.”

“Yes. Don’t talk to him again, just call me. How are things?”

Raymond eyed him for a second before responding. “Good. I am just about to have breakfast. I made pancakes and scrambled eggs. Want to join me?”

He was about to tell the boy that he was not a breakfast person but decided against it. He was here alone for most of the time and probably needed the company. “Lead me to it.”

*****

“Now that the store is empty- “Sharon patted the space next to her on the sofa. “Why don’t you bring your mother a cup of piping hot chocolate and tell me all about your adventure.”

Sadie sent her an amused look before turning away to make the beverage. He had called to say he was having breakfast with Raymond and would probably be spending most of the day at the building.

“I have some meetings to attend as well. Dare I hope we get to repeat last night’s activities? Why don’t you bring a change of clothing, so you don’t have to rush back home to change?”

“Two nights in a row? Won’t you get tired of me?”

“Not a chance. Well? What about it?”

She had told him yes. The doubts she had been faced with were still there, but she was dying to be with him.

Bringing a tray of biscuits and the beverage, she placed it on the table in front of the sofa.

“Adventure?” Picking up her cup, she blew on the liquid to cool it.

“I could not find a better word.” Her mother told her with a smile. “How was it?”

“Are you asking me what I think you are asking?”

Sharon only gave her a mild look before picking up her cup. The store was quiet, most of the crowd rushing in the morning and afternoon. Sadie had finished her paperwork and restocked shelves as well as put out a new menu.

“Mom, I am not going to discuss my sex life with you. That is weird.”

Sharon laughed. “The fact that you have a sex life is cause for celebration. You spent the night.”

“He insisted.” Taking off her shoes, she curled her feet under her. “And I could not say no.” She sighed blissfully. “I really, really like him. Like a lot. Being with him makes me want to be with him some more.”

Her mother eyed her quizzically. “Things are moving fast.”

“Too fast!” She admitted with a sigh. “And I was just saying to myself that I know nothing about him. Not really. He claims he is in management at some company but has not given me the name. His clothes are expensive and so is his apartment.

It’s on Silver Street.” She added as if that explains everything, and it did. “I know his dad is in the hospital and he mentioned an uncle.

I also know he lost his mother, and he was very close to her. He lived in Italy, some little village with his mother’s sister for five years. But what if he is married?” She shook her head. “Which is ridiculous, and I know he isn’t. “But I don’t want to get in too deep only to discover that there is something he is not telling me.”

“You think he has something to hide?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. He seems honest and upfront, but he is a gorgeous man who is still single. Why?”

“One could say the same about you,” Sharon pointed out.

“It’s different for a woman.” She insisted. “Men have women crawling all over them every day of the week. Especially one who is handsome, articulate and have resources. Women most times have to settle for scraps. Whoever is not gay, is either in prison or broke.”

She got a reproving look for that.

“You know it’s true.”

“And I did not bring you up to be a cynic. There are still some good men out there and I believe your young man is one of them.” She patted her daughter’s knee. “Have some faith and from what you told me, you already know a lot. Give him time to tell you the rest. Have you told him everything?”

Sadie shook her head ruefully. “The thing with dad, I still cannot talk about.”

Her mother nodded. “It’s too painful.” She agreed. “What about that piece of garbage that broke your heart?”

“I told him about Shaun.” She smiled slightly. “He listened without saying anything at first. He is good like that. And he wanted to know if Shaun was an idiot.”

“We have established that he is. I like your young man, honey. And I have a feeling he is going to be in your life for a long time.”